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This feels like the longest book I’ve ever read but it’s the finale and I need to know how he wraps it up.

My boy! I knew it!

I must admit that I am not enjoying most of the minor characters' POV chapters so far.

Lyudmila Pavlichenko namedrop

The So Mayer essay is a beautiful reflection of the writer's relationship with the pond as a kid, and the difficulties of accepting their existence as a trans person. The visual parallel made between slave auctions and anti-trans women protesters wearing the pond's sign was well done and connected through a short historical lesson as well as connections between the writer and Jesuit priest Gerard Manley Hopkins.

It's not keeping my attention as much as the first book in the Dublin Murder Squad series. The dynamics in the small town is the most interesting thing in the book so far. Cal, as a MC, is just okay as of right now.

It has been quite harrowing to read this while Christofascists pass anti-LGBTQIA+ laws in support of conversion therapy as well as anti-queer discourse sparked by an athlete.

Copaganda will always remind you that it is copaganda at the end of the day.

On the other hand, dare I say this may be my favorite book in the series so far? The exploration of the religious cult is well done.

Shouldn't be surprised but the anti-Black racism and slurs came out of nowhere dd

I have been on and off reading this book for like 3 years now and I know that when I finish it that it will be one of my favorite books ever. I don't know why I've yet to finish it despite being halfway through. I may restart it again from the beginning to finally complete it in one go.

It is finally spring.

Nina’s essay is a great start to the spring section. Her essay is a journey across the waters that she has swam in since her youth of relocating to 4 different places—always stuck in the middle and anchored to many places, strange and shifting. It ties life experiences such as her first period, an earthquake occurring ‘back home’, and the death of her grandmother to watery language.

To think I've been pushing this off for a month out of fear it wouldn't live up to previous work by him just to devour it like it's nothing. So brilliant so far. Love Tish and Fonny so much.

I was wary of going into this as the person who put me on to Nicci French DNFed this but despite the repetitiveness, I’ve had a fun time with this. In fact, it may be my favorite in the Maud series so far.

Desperately in need of a palate-cleanser.

Jury duty made me cry but the book is going great so far.

Finally. An essay where we learn more about the writer's relations to the pond rather than the logistics. I greatly enjoyed this essay especially with its connection to the author's field of study. Connecting the aging of trees in the surrounding area to the age of the pool as well as disasters (war, dry/wet years, etc.) that occurred was illuminating. This is easily the best essay in the Winter section.

Starting this as we're prepping for this incoming winter storm adds something special to the reading experience.

Winter Swimming is similar to the first essay except that we are provided with quotes from other women who swim at the Hampstead Ladies' Pond during winter. I greatly enjoyed prose and the quotes but I still feel as if this essay collection so far has only served as an intro to the pond itself. As I stated before, I want to know more about the writer's relations to the pond itself.